George Corrigan of Coral Gables Dies at 91

George Corrigan is one of Coral Gables’ most renowned figures. He served as mayor for three terms and championed George Merrick’s “City Beautiful” vision for years to come.

When Kelly Corrigan’s father was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, she began writing a memoir to capture her memories of growing up with him. The result is The Middle Place, an endearing and touching tale about family and home.

Early Life and Education

Early childhood is when children are most exposed to a wide range of experiences. It’s during this period that their brains develop rapidly and they lay the foundations for their future success.

Through these years, children discover about themselves and their environment. Additionally, they acquire skills and knowledge that will aid in developing into healthy, content individuals.

Early childhood education (ECE) is the teaching of young children from birth to age five, which is considered the most crucial stage in a child’s development. This period sets them up for school, life and social success throughout their early years.

Professional Career

Corrigan’s career spanned decades, beginning with 33 years at Burdines – where he ran its most profitable store in Dadeland Mall. Subsequently, he entered banking, first at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and then the Bank of Coral Gables.

He was also the creator of Corriganville, a Hollywood-style ranch in Simi Valley, California that was designed specifically for filming purposes and quickly gained notoriety among Hollywood studios, particularly for Western movies.

From 1987 to 1993, Corrigan served as mayor of Coral Gables for three terms, upholding George Merrick’s vision for a “City Beautiful”. Despite occasional setbacks along the way, he never wavered in his dedication to this cause.

Achievements and Honors

George Corrigan was a confident adman and former all-American lacrosse player (now part-time coach), but he was also an exemplary human being; his daughter Susan recalls how much her dad’s kindness and generosity will be felt for years to come.

The Coral Gables native served on numerous boards, such as the Baptist Health Foundation and First United Methodist Church. Furthermore, his role as mayor helped ensure that Miami-Dade maintained its commitment to preservation.

His daughter reports that he advocated for social spaces for pedestrians and zoning changes that permitted landscaping, signage, and outdoor cafe seating. When the Mile’s redesign was announced in 2013, however, his daughter states that he privately opposed it.

Personal Life

George Corrigan was a proud father, husband and lacrosse coach. He was renowned for his kind heart, infectious smile and unmatched generosity.

On February 24, 2015, he succumbed to cancer at the age of 84. His obituary noted that his family “will miss him profoundly.”

Kelly Darraugh Corrigan’s memoir, The Middle Place, recounts her childhood and father’s influence over her. Through wise advice and loving words, he helped shape who she is today – an enduring testament of strength and love.

She shares her family’s memories of their home and how it shaped their lives. As she confronts both her own mortality and that of her father, she comes to recognize that home is more than a physical location – it is an individual.

Net Worth

George Corrigan is a four-time New York Times best-selling author, best known for her books The Middle Place, The Story of My Family and Lift.

She was born on August 16, 1967 in Radnor, Pennsylvania and holds a master’s degree in literature from San Francisco State University.

Her net worth is believed to be in excess of $1 million, with most of her income coming from writing.

After Christa McAuliffe tragically passed away during a space shuttle mission, Grace Corrigan began writing a journal to help herself and her husband cope with their loss.

She published her first book in 2008 and has since achieved legendary status as an author. Additionally, she hosts a podcast and TV show. Among other achievements, she organized a benefit concert for children’s hospitals as well as hosting an annual event called Notes and Words.